O2 sensor replacement. What brand, where to buy?

Jeff T

Jeff T

Member
After getting my 04 4R w/248k checked out this AM and the dealer telling me I need a new cat I've spent most the day searching and reading on the forum.

Based on what I've read it appears in "most" cases replacing the O2 sensors has done the job.

Needless to say there are plenty of vendors making replacements. My typical rule of thumb is don't buy the cheapest / don't buy the most expensive.

Just curious if there are any brands to stay away from? Or definitely use?

Thanks!
 
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At 249K miles your CATs are probably toast. Sorry I don't who else make them.

As for O2, they are so damn expensive from Toyota, so in a squeeze I bought a a universal Bosch for 60 bucks, some splicing and was as good as Toyota's.
 
Denso , amazon & takes a lot to fry cats ! Not saying can't happen but usually o2,that said front 2 are a/f sensors more $$ , back 2 are o2 & are usually 55$ neighborhood ! Make sure you have o2 socket or wrench because of plug . Amazon is pretty competitive price wise .IMO
 
I get Denso on amazon but I just saw some on ebay for way less and I have to do my Bank 1 A/F sensor and just changed my Bank 2 3 days ago.
 
o2 Sensor

I just got through with a long process of trying to diagnose an idling and misfire problem. Ultimately, it turned out to be a Bosch o2 sensor (front of cat, bank 2) that was not playing nicely. I had the Bosch installed (asked for Denso...) after a CEL prevented me from passing inspection. Idling and misfire problems started a few weeks later. The garage who initially installed it told me that my idling and misfire problems were a bad cat - that was the code - and they were wrong. No codes thrown by the Bosch sensor but while driving with a scantool hooked up, it was clear that the sensor was the problem. Find a mechanic that can do more than look at the first code they see, and use Toyota or Denso front 02 sensors. It is pretty rare for the cats to go bad.
 
Stick with OE or Denso which is OE. Too many problems with aftermarket sensors to take the risk to save a few dollars.
 
I bought both sensors, Densos, for the left side and will be installing them as soon as they arrive.
 
Update: I replaced both the O2 sensors, with Denso's, on the suspect side. It has now been about 2000 miles and the dreaded CEL lights have not returned.

Drove home from Fargo, ND yesterday and the truck averaged 21.6, actual calculation. Not bad for 253k!
 
I had the same problem with my 2000, I'd check wires, plugs, and temp coolant sensor first, they are the cheapest to replace and easiest to diagnose. Check that before you get into coil packs and injectors. Don't know if your year specifies dual electrodes or not but mine does and the previous owners shop installed singles with Autolite plug wires, after banging my head against the wall trying to diagnose coil packs, O2 sensors, injectors, compression tests and vacuum test, not thinking about plugs and wires because they had just been replaced about 3000 miles prior, it was ultimately those parts because they were not oem. Good luck with it.
 
Cheap2000SR5 said:
I had the same problem with my 2000, I'd check wires, plugs, and temp coolant sensor first, they are the cheapest to replace and easiest to diagnose. Check that before you get into coil packs and injectors. Don't know if your year specifies dual electrodes or not but mine does and the previous owners shop installed singles with Autolite plug wires, after banging my head against the wall trying to diagnose coil packs, O2 sensors, injectors, compression tests and vacuum test, not thinking about plugs and wires because they had just been replaced about 3000 miles prior, it was ultimately those parts because they were not oem. Good luck with it.
Click to expand...

Just in case I wasn't clear, it's fine!! Running great, no issues, I'm happy, no problems!
 
At 249K miles your CATs are probably toast. Sorry I don't who else make them.
Click to expand...

Why do you say that. CAT's should last the life of the vehicle. My current 4runner has over 260k miles (original cats). My 98 Pathfinder when we finally sold it..had over 400k miles with original cats. My 90 Pathfinder I gave to my nephew who then drove it 5 more years and sold it with over 400k miles on original cats. My wifes Accords (87 and 96) all had original cats last I knew...and they the 87 was approaching 500k miles last I knew...and the 96 has over 350k miles.

If a catalytic converter doesn't last several hundred thousands of miles it's because there was some other problem that caused it to burn out. A rich running vehicle can destroy a cat. But in general they should easily last the life of the vehicle.

As for which O2 sensor to use....Denso (since it's OEM). The only other one I'd use is NGK. I'd stay away from Bosch for a toyota.
 
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